The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-12-23
MRS. JOHN JACOB AsToE.
sketch of the Life of the Deceased Wife
the New York Millionaire


sketch of the Life of the Deceased Wife of
the New York Millionaire.
New York Letter.
The dead woman was the wife Of John Jacob
Aston, the chief and heir of the great
Astor estate, which estimated at 500, 600 000-
Mrs. Astor, who was a Miss Gibbs, was remark
able for her intellectual attainments and for con-
scientious fidelity to duty. Mrs. Astor was a
very generous hostess, caring moro for intellect
and character than for mere fashionable posi-
ton. although she had proper sense Of the dig
nifty OF the salon. She always entertained the
distinguished visitors New York las the Pres
ident and his wife. the foreign ministers. and
the English aud French aristocracy). She was
piano like master and spoke and
wrote French. German and Italian.
She was delicate little woman,
with very high-bred carriage, and wore her
splendid diamonds if she were the daughter
of hundred ears. She was devoted to good
works. and was fond of going to read to the pa
markable for her choice of language, being
somewhat scholarly, and had the old-fashioned
manners OF the old school. She was an admra-
BILE custodian of large fortune, and an emf
nently religious good woman The only notice
able extravaganza in her habits was the purchase
of diamonds. She had passion for the precious
stones. in which she bad invested to the extent
of s25OO John Jacob Astor was born in
1928 The home of his parents, then in the sub
urbs of New York, was surrounded by green
fields and stately trees After that portion OF
the city was built up, the old mansion remained
intact at Broadway and White streets Later
it gave place to a magnificent structure. which
erected as monument to mark tha location
OF the Astor homestead.
Thomas Gibbs was Southeruer who had
made an ample fortune In land speculations IN
South Carolina, and had taken his family to
New York to enjoy the ease and comforts the
large metropolis afforded. MIR. Gibbs and the
father of young Aston soon became acquainted
through business transactions. The intimacy
ripened to social intercourse. and John Jacob
and his bother William B., were introduced to
the Gibbs household, where they became &C
quainted with the fair daughter of their host,
a maiden of the Southern type of beauty. just
ripening into womanhood- Miss Augusta Gibbs
was in every way worthy of the consideration
and love of an Aston. John Jacob learned to
love the fair Southern maiden. and q
romantic courtship followed The young girl
and ner parents were frequent visitors to the
Astor country-seat on the Hudson Here the
young couple, seated in the shady bowers of the
vast park, or etrolling arm-in arm along the
broad beach OF the Hudson by moonlight,
pliehted their troth and laid plans for theiz
future happiness. In the social circles of this
city young Astor and his betrothed were known
a singularly modest and dienifsd couple.
who would have attracted little notice had it
not been for the great wealth of Mr.. Astor s
family.
The wedding which followed was one of the
social events of the day, and after an extensive
tour the happy couple returned to the Astor
country-seat the Hudson, where the event
was again celebrated by family gathering and
a reception after the English custom. Within
William B. Aston died. The large estate, valued
at SAC. OOO, 900, was divided between the widow
and her two sons.
Mr.. Astor visited his business house daily aud
superntended the control of his vast estate while
his wife, several years his junior found time to
visit daily the half dozen or more charitable in
situations which she had assisted In organizing
and supporting for upward of a score OF years
Socially. Mr.. John Jacob Aston and the once DIFF
fdent and reserved Southern bele took the
lead, The broad halls of their spacious man
sion on Fifth avenue were thrown open twice a
week regularly to the elite Of New York society,
and a sumptuous repast served. The old family
mansion and spacious grounds on the Hudson,
around which many fond memories
twined, still remained summer resort for the
aged couple, and in the warmer months served
a refreshing and quiet retreat, where they
were refreshed by the fond recollection of ear
lier DAYS.
Mrs. Astor vas lover OF art. and the interior
accomplished when wealth is accompanied by
taste. She loved children, and it was cons
sxBs source of regret TO her thet her marriage
had been blessed with but To the News
the Childrens Aid Society of her favor
its charities Hundreds of the little waits were
saved from the streets and sent West through
her iberalitv, much as SAC, 900 being given on
such occasions. A school of the society. nenr
Avenue b, New York, was supported by her
during period of twenty-fou years. The last
band OF helpless children who went West
through her kindness left New York last Thanks
giving She would visit the bedsides OF the in
valid poor aud would slip money to them In a
room might be aroused. Her Southern birth
did not prevent her giving the Ellsworth Zou-
collation. at her house when they went to
the She also presented them with hand
some battle-fag.
FertiIizing with Glover.